The Accidental Smallholder Forum
Livestock => Poultry & Waterfowl => Topic started by: Alex_ on November 07, 2016, 11:01:00 am
-
SO at the weekend I picked up a couple or Muscovy ducks. I have given them food and water and a place to swim. I have also got them a dog kennel to be used as an ark but they have not gone anywhere near it. They sleep next to the garden pond I have for them.
When I had chickens I picked them up and moved them to the coop at night so they knew where to go.
These ducks are much harder to catch. They came from a large flock and are now just by themselves so they are super nervous.
Should I still try and heard them into the"ark" at night?
They are protected from predators even by the pond.
Thanks
:&>
-
if they are safe from predators then why worry. None of my ducks choose to sleep inside.
-
you may have to pick them up a few night on the bounce the y will soon get the idea
but muscovys do like to just hang around and sit where they want
when your drake is the size of a medium dog it can be difficult
the females fly well
i had one out in the street yesterday and when i went to catch it it flew around the estate and landed on my roof
it soon came down for food
-
most of my muscovies go to bed in their shed-so they can be trained. I have two females who roost high in my stables.
-
I use 'duck hurdles' ... ie anything to direct them in the right direction and then herd them in. .
-
re the nervous bit-they are smart ducks, they will get used to you but I'd not handle them too much. Peas are a big treat for them as is lettuce. As for herding, they're easier than geese to herd but block off anywhere you dont want them to go until they're use to their new home. They never go to bed as early as the chickens though.
I just saw they are safe from predators-I'd leave them in that case. they are very curious, they will check out the kennel and lay in there (if you are lucky ;) )
-
[member=24953]lord flynn[/member] I gave them peas after their first night and were not interested at all.
I will give them some time to get used to their new life.
I think they are very aware that they have gone from a large flock to just two by themselves and I have seen them be curious and explore their area
-
Ducks are much easier to herd than chickens! You just can't herd chickens... just wait untill they go to sleep in the evening.
What I do to my duck is feed them a little bit every evening inside their enclosure. Now when they see me coming they go in themselves and I just lock the door.
-
When we first got ours (Campbells) they were the same but after a few nights of herding them into the house they got the idea and ever since they take themselves off to bed when they are ready. Ducks can see quite well at night so will stay up beyond dusk. Since the run is enclosed we haven't even got a door on the house itself anymore.
-
Yes I agree ducks are much easier to herd in. They are also very easy catch for foxes so I would always shut them in at night unless they are on an island on the pond. Ducks won't tend to put themselves to bed at night, but they do get into a routine and once established you will only need to go out there at the right time and they'll know it's time for bed. I love my ducks... they do make a mess though- mine are in the garden so throughout the winter they are fenced off from our grass and keep themselves busy up on a large bank that surrounds the grass.
-
At the moment mine have an enclosure made from a metal polytunnel frame that is covered with wire for security. it links to my greenhouse that has a pond that pumps the water around some grow beds.
The plan is that the growbeds remove the waste from the ducks and cleans the water at the same time as feeding the plants.
My concern at the moment is that it is quite humid in the greenhouse and they are sleeping in their instead of their duck house.